The Chief Judge of Ogun, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, on Tuesday granted pardon to 49 inmates, as part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities in the state.

Ms Dipeolu pardoned the inmates, during a jail delivery exercise at Oba, Ibara and Ilaro correctional centres in Ogun State.

Thirty one inmates were released from the Oba Correctional Centre, 15 from Ibara, and three from Ilaro prison bringing the total number of inmates granted amnesty to 49.

Ms Dipeolu said that the exercise was to decongest the facilities, adding that cases of inmates were reviewed, leading to the freedom granted to those deemed deserving.

Visiting the Ilaro Correctional Centre, she said correctional facilities required improvement.

”We cannot afford to have deaths on our hands, due to overcrowding. The conditions here at the correctional centre have not improved. It is evident that overcrowding is rampant, even without official statistics. This overcrowding particularly concerns those awaiting trial, as they suffer without having been found guilty,” Dipeolu said.

Also at the Oba Correctional Centre, the chief judge expressed concern with the overcrowding and condition of the facility.

“We cannot ignore the plight of those awaiting trial; many of whom have been incarcerated for years without conviction,” she said.

At Ibara Correctional Centre, the CJ commended managers of the facility for their efforts at maintaining a relatively better environment, urging them to do more to address the other challenges.

She, however, emphasised the need for swift justice and rehabilitation, rather than mere punishment, to address the root causes of congestion.

In his remarks, Controller, Correctional Centre, Saliu Adepoju, commended the chief judge and her entourage for the exercise and upholding the ethics of the judiciary.

The CJ was accompanied by a team of judges from the state High Court, Director of Public Prosecution management and some officials, including the state controller and assistant controller, correctional centre.

(NAN)